North Syracuse Central School District Science Teacher Named 2017 New York State Teacher of the Year

The New York State Board of Regents today named Amy Hysick the 2017 New York State Teacher of the Year. Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia presented Hysick, a science teacher at Cicero-North Syracuse High School in Cicero, with a certificate of recognition as well as the Thomas Sobol Award and the David Johnson Award, both created as annual gifts for recipients of the Teacher of the Year award.

Hysick, the 47^th New York State Teacher of the Year, has taught in the North Syracuse Central School District for 12 years. She currently teaches Regents Biology (Living Environment) at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

"Amy Hysick realizes that learning doesn't begin and end in the classroom and that to help students succeed in school and life, we must educate the whole child," Chancellor Rosa said.  "Ms. Hysick's dedication to her students, her school and her community makes her an excellent ambassador as Teacher of the Year."

“Teaching offers a priceless gift—the chance to impact students’ lives.  That’s exactly what Amy Hysick does each day in her classroom,” Commissioner Elia said.  “Her dedication to engaging students in a hands-on way, her drive to continue her own learning and growth as an educator and her generosity in sharing best practices with her colleagues makes her the perfect example of a great New York state teacher.” 

“Exemplary teachers and paraprofessionals are hallmarks of New York’s public education system. Among all our state’s great educators, Amy Hysick stands out. She brings passion, humor and intelligence to her work. She engages her students and makes science relevant to their lives. Amy understands learning is a process and that, when students are supported properly, even mistakes and wrong answers can be tremendous learning opportunities,” said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee. “That is the essence of teaching and learning. Everyone at NYSUT joins me in congratulating Amy Hysick on her selection as the 2017 New York State Teacher of the Year.”

“Amy, a graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School, truly believes in giving back to her community,” said North Syracuse Central School District Superintendent Annette Speach. “She is an outstanding educator whose dedication is evidenced beyond her commitment to students in the classroom; a true teacher leader consistently modeling and sharing best practices, an inspiration to all.”

“We are very proud of Amy’s leadership and dedication to education,” said Cicero-North Syracuse High School Executive Principal William LaClair. “Her commitment to the education of all students is inspiring and she continues to not only motivate her students but her colleagues as well.”

Hysick, a lifelong resident of the Syracuse area, was educated in the North Syracuse Central School District and returned there for her teaching career. She is a graduate of Binghamton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Arts in Secondary Education with a specialization in Biology. She holds permanent New York State Certifications in Biology (7-12) and Chemistry (7-12).

Hysick believes that building relationships with students is the key to unlocking their motivation and engaging them. One way she fosters relationships with her own students is by housing the school’s reptile collection in her classroom. She uses her sewing skills to create “over-the-top” costumes to support school Spirit Week, and other school events, to further connect with students and help to build a positive school culture.  Volunteer activities through her church help to strengthen ties with students, families and the community outside the school setting.

Hysick is committed to the success of all students and participates in a variety of professional learning communities designed to increase student achievement. Among these is an online forum of science educators from the United States and Canada where Hysick discusses topics pertinent to her own classroom experience, and shares resources and teaching materials. Locally, Hysick has worked with colleagues to lead the creation and implementation of instructional strategies to more effectively reach students with a variety of learning styles and the development of strategies targeted at success for at-risk students.

In the coming year, Hysick will serve as an ambassador for teachers throughout the state and will be the New York State nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.

Finalists for the 2017 New York State Teacher of the Year include:

• Carolyn Dorritie, a math teacher at Port Jervis High School in the Port Jervis City School District;
• Nicole Malone, an English teacher at William T. Rogers Middle School in the Kings Park Central School District;
• Natasha Murray, a math teacher at Copiague Middle School in the Copiague Public Schools; and
• Lauren Bakian-Aaker, a fourth grade teacher at P.S. 110 The Florence Nightingale School in Manhattan.

The New York State Teacher of the Year Program is administered by the New York State Education Department and sponsored by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT); United Federation of Teachers (UFT); New York State Parents and Teachers Association (NYSPTA); New York State Association for School Curriculum Development (NYSASCD); New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA); School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS); New York State Association of Teacher Educators (NYSATE); New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACTE); Voya Financial; the SMARTer Kids Foundation; SMART Technologies and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The program is run in conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by CCSSO.

Additional information about the New York State Teacher of the Year Program is available in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction at the New York State Education Department at (518) 474-5922 or on the Teacher of the Year website.